Vacuum can sealing strip removing device



Sept. 15, 1959 SWEET, JR

VACUUM CAN SEALING STRIP REMOVING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1953 2 Shets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR:

' A7TORNEY.

Sept. 15, 1959 R. LESWEET, JR 2,904,213

VACUUM CAN SEALING STRIP REMOVING DEVICE Filed June 24, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 TLE- E FIE- '7 INVENTOR: flichardlflweei J2, BY

% A7TORNEY tates Patent Ofiice 7 2,904,213 Patented Sept. 15, 1959 CUUM .CANsEALlNG-r T l R MQY NG DEVLCE Richard L. Sweet J13, Wyomissing, Pa. Application June 24, 1953,.Serifil No. 363,151

6 Claims. (Cl. 220-52) This invention relates generally to devices for removing the sealing'strips from vacuum cans to effect opening .of the latter and more particularly concerns a device of this type which is held in .one hand and operated with .theother.

One objectof my invention is to provide a novel sealing strip removing device of :the .type indicated.

Another .object is to provide such .a .device which has certain structural and :functional features of advantage over the similar devices of theprior art.

Another object is :to provide such .a device having a novel appearance which enhances its sales appeal.

A further :object is to :provide such a device which .can be operated with greater speed and safety than :the similanartidevices.

'Still another iohject'is to provide such :a device having sealing strip removing means that operates in novel manner.

An additionaliobject ;is to provide such adevice which includes an elongated clement adapted to have wound thereon inrcoiled formation the sealing strip .of :a vacuum can, .which element is operative to effect ejection therefrom of said sealing stripcoil.

It is also an object .to provide such .a device in which the said element is limitedly movable .axially between two selective positions.

Another object is to provide such a device having novel freely rotatable roller ,means which facilitates the positioning and operation .of .tghedevice.

Another feature of the invention resides in the simplicity and ruggedness of its structural parts, ,as well as in its special shape or design which includes novelhandle means for effectively and firmly holding the .device.

Additional objects are, to provide ,such a device hav ng n. 01' mor nov l structural fea ures arranged in coope t e ombination, uch as a body member tram which a piston-type handle member rextends downwardly at .the rearward section thereof; an elongated vacuum can se ing r p engaging lement that is provided wi h a longitudinally extending .slot .at its lower .end having .an outwardly flare opening; a pair of ,spacedly aligned bearings on said body member in which bearings -.t:he se ing strip ngag ng elem nt i m unt d tor ro a ion l s well .as axially shiftable movement; means on sai sealing strip engaging element, intennediateof :said bear? lugs to limi he l al shit ing movement of .the elem n in at leas one direc ion; and .a .fr ely.ro.tat-able:rol1er-on said ,bodymember arranged in axial parallelism wi h said sealingstriptengagingelement.

With these .and other objects in view, which will .besom more appar nt from the following detail d descript on of the practical and illu trative term of my d vi e sh wn in he accomp y n dr i s, my invention cem- Pn ses th nov l device. element ifeatures nfcens ruction n a ang ment of parts in cooperative relationship .as more particularly defined by the hereto appended claims.

In .the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form-of my novel 2 device and shows the latter applied :to a partly .Shown -vacuum type coffee can do illustrate the arrangementat the beginning ofthe sealing strip removing operation.

Fig. 2 is a side elevationalview of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a partial front elevational view dfmy device, as seen from thele'ft inFigiZ.

Fig. 4 is a detail -elevational sectional -view taken substa-ntia'lly as indicated by the arrows 4-4 on Fig. ,1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the elements forming a part-of my invention.

Fig. 6 is a plan sectional view, taken substantially as indicated -by the arrows -66 on F-ig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a view similar to Fig. '6, but showing the sealing strip of the vacuum can completely wound in the coiled formation on the strip removing element of *my device. Fig. 8 is apart'ial sectional view similar to Fig. 4, but shows the sealing strip of the vacuum can completely wound in coiled formation on the strip removing element of my device, as illustrated in Fig. 7, and

Fig. -9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, *but shows the seal-ing strip removing element of my devicerin the position'which it occupies after eifect-ing ejection therefrom of the sealing stn'p coil.

Itwill be helpful to an understanding ofmy invention to first briefly consider some of the more important aspects and phases thereof so that these may be kept in mind in connection with the'readi ig Qfthe detailed description of the practical and illustrative form of my device shown in the drawings.

Accordingly, it is noted that my novel vacuum .can seal-ing strip removing device is so designed that it can be readily and firmly gripped with one hand .andoperated with the other. Also, that -a crank-type sealing strip removing element is provided that can'be quickly and easily brought into engagement with 'the tongue of the sealing strip and after the latter has been wound .on the element in coiled formation, the coil "is ejected from said .element in novel manner so as to avoid the necessity of removing the strip with the :fi-ngers, thereby to eliminate the danger of injury to the latter. A freely rotatable roller is also arranged to facilitate the positioning of the device inre'lation :to the-vacuum can and to permit quick and efficient operation of the sealing strip removing element.

Referring now to the drawings, in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts, the form of my invention there shown generally comprises a body member '1, a -p'istoltype handle 2, a hearing unit .3, a freely rotatable roller '4, and a crank-type operating memher '5. The body member 1 may be shaped substantially as shown, and is formed of a rigid relatively light weight material, such as wood, plastic or fibrous material, hard rubber, etc. At one side thereof, the body member 1 has an integral portion or section 1 in which is formed a recess 'l that extends -vertically through said portion from the top to the bottom thereof and has .its opening arranged directly adjacent -to and within the confines of a larger recess 1 extending inwardly from the side of the bodymember 1, as clearly shownin Fig.1. The smaller recess l and the larger recess 1 are so arranged relative to each other asto permit ready mounting of the heating unit '3, and retention thereof in the position shown.

The "bearing unit 3 is preferably, "but not necessarily integrally formed of sheet metal, and is shaped substantially as shown Fig. 3, so as to provide a top section 3 a bottom section 3 and a vertical connecting wall section 3that has laterally extending therefrom a section 3 The top and bottom sections 3* and 3v" are arranged in parallelism relative to each other and provided with similar aligned circular apertures 3 adapted to form relatively spaced axially aligned bearing apertures in which a certain elongated vacuum can sealing strip removing element is adapted to be mounted for rotational and axially shiftable movement, as later described. The section 3 of the bearing unit 3 is provided with an aperture 3 arranged to permit the extension therethrough of a suitable screw 6 for fixedly securing the bearing unit in position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

The crank-type operating member comprises a straight elongated metallic shank portion 5 that is mounted for rotational and axially shiftable movement in the relatively spaced axially aligned bearing apertures 15 of the bearing unit 3. As shown, the shank portion 5 may have formed at its upper end an integral crank handle extension 5 on the outer vertically extending end of which is mounted a freely rotatable member 7 adapted to be engaged by the fingers of the device operator to facilitate rotation of the operating member 5 at one time and axial shifting movement thereof at another time, for purposes which will become apparent as the description proceeds. It is to be understood that, instead of the crank handle extension 5 the shank portion 5 may, if desired, have integrally or otherwise provided at its upper end some other equivalent means to be engaged by the fingers of the device operator, for example, a key-type handle member, or the like.

At its lower end the shank portion 5 is provided with a central longitudinally extending slot 5, the bottom opening of which is flared outwardly as clearly shown in Fig. 3. A pin 8 extends transversely through the shank portion 5 and the outer ends of said pin project beyond the opposed surface portions of the shank portion 5 and form movement limiting stops arranged to abut against the inner surfaces of the bearing members 3 and 3 of the bearing unit 3.

The pin 8 is arranged in intermediate location relative to the bearing members 3 and 3 in such manner that when said pin abuts against the inner surface of bearing member 3 the shank portion 5 projects below the latter the proper extent for efiecting easy insertion through the slot 5 of a tongue element 9 formed, as usual, on the end of the sealing strip 9 of a vacuum type coffee can, or the like, indicated by the letter C. When the shank portion 5 is moved or shifted vertically in upward direction so that the pin 8 abuts against the inner surface of the bearing member 3 as shown in Fig. 9, the lower extremity of the shank portion 5 projects only slightly beyond the outer surface of the bearing member 3' of the bearing unit 3.

Engagement of the tongue element 9 in the slot 5 of the shank portion 5 may be effected in two ways. Either the shank portion 5 may be moved laterally toward the front of the tongue element 9, so that the tongue element will pass directly through the slot 5 at some point intermediate of its ends, or the shank portion 5 may be moved vertically downwardly over the top edge of the tongue element 9 so that the latter will be inserted through the flared bottom opening of the slot 5. In the latter instance, the inclined wall sections of the shank portion 5 which define the outwardly flared bottom opening of the slot 5, function as cam surfaces to guide the upper edge of the tongue element 9 into the slot.

The roller 4, which may be formed of wood, plastic or fibrous material, hard or soft rubber, or the like, is secured for free rotation, below the body member 1, by suitable means, such as a screw indicated at 10. The roller 4 has its axis of rotation arranged in parallelism with the axis of the shank portion 5 and said roller is positioned so that its periphery will contactingly rest against the outer side surface of the can, or the lid forming portion of the latter, below the rim or bead B usually provided on such lid forming portions. If desired, a spacing washer 11 may be loosely mounted between the roller 4 and the body member 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

The pistol-type handle 2 is arranged to project downwardly from the rear section of the body member 1 as shown, and may be fixedly secured to the body member in any desired practical manner, as by means of a screw 12, the head of which may be located in concealed manner within a vertical screw receiving aperture extending upwardly from the inner curved surface of the handle 2. The handle 2 may also be formed of any suitable relatively lightweight material, such as wood, plastic or fibrous material, hard rubber, etc.

Operation The device of my invention is operated substantially as follows:

The pistol-type handle 2 of the device is gripped with one hand and the latter is then moved into position against a vacuum type coffee can C, or the like, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, so that the shank portion 5 of the operating member 5 is engaged with the tongue 9 of the vacuum can sealing strip 9 by either lateral or vertical movement of the device relative to the can C, as previously indicated and the roller 4 contactingly rests against the side surface of the can. While the device is in this position, the free hand of the device operator engages the crank handle member 7 and rotates the crank handle in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. Such rotation of the crank handle will cause winding of the sealing strip on the shank member 5 and rotation of the can C in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 6. Operation of the crank handle is continued until the entire sealing strip 9 has been Wound onto the shank portion 5 in coiled formation (see Fig. 7) and the end of the sealing strip has been snapped off. The device operator then pulls upwardly on the handle member 7 so that the shank portion 5 is shifted axially in upward direction until the pin 8 abuts against the inner surface of the bearing member 3 of the bearing unit 3. Such upward movement of the shank portion 5 will first cause the coiled sealing strip 9 to first abut edgewise against the outer surface of the bearing member 3*, as shown in Fig. 8 and then to be stripped otf, or ejected from, the shank portion 5, as indicated in Fig. 9.

Modifications Of course, the device specifically shown and described can be changed and modified in various ways without departing from the invention herein disclosed and more particularly defined by the hereto appended claims.

I claim:

1. A vacuum can sealing strip removing device of the character described comprising, a body member, a pair of spacedly aligned hearings on said body member, an elongated sealing strip engaging element mounted for rotational and axially shiftable movement in said bearings, means on said element intermediate of said bearings to limit the axial shifting movement of said element in one direction, and a freely rotatable can contacting roller on said body member arranged in spaced parallelism with said element.

2. A vacuum can sealing strip removing device of the character described comprising, a body member, a pair of spacedly aligned bearings on said body member, an elongated sealing strip engaging element mounted for rotational and axially shiftable movement in said bearings, means on said element intermediate of said hearings to limit the axial shifting movement of said element in one direction, a freely rotatable can contacting roller on said body member arranged in spaced parallelism with said element, and a pistol type handle projecting downwardly from the rearward portion of said body member.

3. A portable vacuum can sealin strip removing device of the character described comprising, a body member, a separate integrally formed bearin unit secured to said body member which includes two spacedly aligned bearings, a crank having a shank portion mounted for rotational and axially shiftable movement in said bearings, means at the lower end of said shank portion for engaging the sealing strip, a freely rotatable can contacting roller on said body member arranged in spaced parallelism with said shank portion, means on said shank portion intermediate of said bearings adapted to limit the axial shifting movement of said shank portion, and a pistol type handle projecting downwardly from the rearward portion of said body member.

4. A vacuum can sealing strip removing device of the character described comprising in combination, a body member, a bearing on said body member, an elongated element provided with an end portion having a longitudi nally extending sealing strip receiving slot which element is mounted for rotational and axial shiftable movement in said bearing, abutment means against which the sealing strip is adapted to be moved in edgewise relation by axial shifting movement of said element after the sealing strip is Wound in coiled formation on said element, and means limiting the axial movement of said element relative to said abutment means to an extent substantially equal to the distance that the tip of the slotted end portion of the element is spaced from said abutment means when the element is in its sealing strip engaging position, in order that said movement limiting means will indicate etfected ejection of the coiled sealing strip from the element by the determinedly established stopping action of the latter at the end of said axial movement thereof in its strip ejectin direction and will simultaneously prevent withdrawal of said element from said bearing.

5. A vacuum can sealin strip removing device of the character described comprising, a body member, a pair of spacedly aligned bearings on said body member, an elongated sealing strip engaging element mounted for rotational and axially shiftable movement in said bearings, means on said element intermediate of said bearings to limit the axial shifting movement of said element in one direction so as to effect movement limitation thereof to a determined strip engagin location and in the opposite direction to efiect movement limitation thereof to a determined strip ejection location, and can contacting guide means on said body member.

6. A vacuum can sealing strip removing device of the character described comprising, a body member, a pair of spacedly aligned bearings on said body member, an elongated sealing strip engaging element mounted for rotational and axially shiftable movement in said bearings, means on said element intermediate of said bearings to limit the axial shifting movement of said element in one direction so as to effect movement limitation thereof to a determined strip engaging location and in the opposite direction to effect movement limitation thereof to a determined strip ejecting location.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,199,790 Holcomb Oct. 3, 1916 1,646,719 Young Oct. 25, 1927 1,911,613 Epstein May 30, 1933 2,140,151 Dazey Dec. 13, 1938 2,370,081 Sebell Feb. 20, 1945 2,578,379 Taylor Dec. 11, 1951 2,625,294 Bodin et a1. Jan. 13, 1953 2,649,990 Lyle Aug. 25, 1953 

